Black-crowned Night Heron

Key identifiable features

• General: Medium-sized heron with a black crown and back, grey wings, and white underparts. Red eyes are striking in adults.
• Male vs Female: Sexes appear similar; males may have longer ornamental plumes during breeding.
• Juvenile: Brown overall with heavy streaking and spotted wings, lacking black crown.

Movement & migration

Partial migrant; populations in temperate zones migrate short distances. Nocturnal feeder around wetlands and lakes.

General information

A compact heron that feeds mainly at night, often seen perched quietly during the day. It hunts fish and amphibians in shallow water and breeds colonially near wetlands.

Sourced from authorized ornithology references.

Audio recordings